Mortgages

QUIET WORDS

FIVE THINGS

Retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is to launch a chain of in-store banks, offering products including mortgages.

The Scottish Government launched a tax consultation yesterday, proposing the removal of the slab Stamp Duty Land Tax format and a boost to homebuyer affordability in Scotland.

UK house prices will end the year at the same level as now owing to tough economic conditions, a lender has predicted.

The Bank of England (BoE) is likely to be urged today to take on a full range of powers under its new regulatory remit, including a controversial right to restrict mortgage lending during a housing boom.

NatWest Intermediary Solutions is introducing a quartet of new deals to its core products and reducing rates on the rest of its range.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has signalled the government is ready to loosen its austerity drive with a "massive" increase in state-backed investment into housing and state infrastructure.

The mortgage industry is still awaiting the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) final rules this summer, but Virgin Money expects its direction to boost lending through intermediaries.

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